Kaneta and Nowotarski Selected to FCS National Bowl
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Concordia Wisconsin football team had two student-athletes selected to compete in the FCS Bowl. Representing Concordia Wisconsin will be the senior duo of Gio Nowotarski and Justice Kaneta.
The FCS Bowl is an annual post-season college football all-star game consisting of the top players from college football FCS schools. The inaugural FCS National Bowl was played in December 2014 at FIU Stadium and moved to Daytona Beach Stadium in Daytona Beach, FL in 2016 which is home to FCS Bethune-Cookman Football. The National Bowl and FCS Bowl all-star weekend for Non-FBS schools has been the only games of its kind to attract numerous NFL & CFL scouts.
A senior linebacker from Brighton, Colorado, Justice Kaneta earned his third all-conference nod and second consecutive first-team selection in November. Kaneta led the Falcons with 96 tackles, including 56 solo, averaging 10.7 per game. He recorded double-digit tackles in six of nine games, highlighted by a season-high 18 tackles, two for loss, against Wisconsin Lutheran, and 12 solo tackles against St. Norbert.
Kaneta also contributed with two sacks, two interceptions, and two fumble recoveries, showing his all-around playmaking ability. His interceptions included a 21-yard return against Aurora and an 8-yard return against Eureka.
A senior defensive back, from Reading, Pennsylvania, Gio Nowotarski also earned second-team honors for the second consecutive season in November. Nowotarski played in all nine games, totaling 42 tackles, 31 solo, and adding three interceptions. He made an immediate impact in the season opener with a 21-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown against Calvin. He added another fumble recovery for a touchdown in the season finale against Wisconsin Lutheran.
Nowotarski was also a threat in coverage, recording three pass breakups in a win over Rockford and earning NACC Special Teams Player of the Week honors on September 17.
Players travel to the National Bowl weekend from as far as Texas, Arkansas, Oregon, Colorado, Michigan, Utah, South Dakota, and more. The FCS National Bowl and National Bowl Game are presented by East Preps LLC and founded by its owner Michael Quartey Esq., also a Professor of Sports Law at Holy Family University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The rosters give NFL and CFL scouts a chance to view and get to know some of the best players from smaller schools over the Bowl weekend. The FCS National Bowl is coached by pro coaches and features coaches such as NFL Coach Mike Stock formerly of the Green Bay Packers, who is set to return and coach the FCS Bowl for the 2014 game in Miami, FL. The game has been attended by scouts from the NFL's St Louis Rams, Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Chicago Bears, and has even seen scouting directors fly in. With its location at FIU in Miami, the Bowl weekend continues gaining scouts' attention. All 32 NFL teams receive and review the FCS National Bowl film as the game and practice film are distributed directly to all NFL teams by NFL Films.
The Concordia Wisconsin duo are the only two student-athletes from the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference to be selected.
The game will be played on Sunday, December 8 with an 11:00 kickoff.
For information on viewing and tickets, click here.
